Kenya Schools Face 29 May Deadline for Grade 4 and 5 Assessment Results Upload
Nairobi, 29 April 2026
Schools across Kenya must upload Grade 4 and 5 assessment scores to the national portal by 29 May 2026, marking a crucial milestone in the country’s education transition. The deadline affects assessments in Science and Technology, Creative Arts and Sports, and Agriculture under the Competency-Based Curriculum.
Critical Portal Access and Assessment Requirements
The Kenya National Examinations Council issued the directive on Wednesday, 29 April 2026, requiring all primary schools to complete and upload School-Based Assessment results through the Competency-Based Assessment portal [1]. Schools gained access to assessment tools on 2 March 2026, with headteachers required to log into the CBA portal to retrieve the necessary materials [1]. The three core subjects under evaluation are Science and Technology, Creative Arts and Sports, and Agriculture, which form part of the upper primary evaluation framework within Kenya’s Competency-Based Curriculum [1][2].
Practical Guidelines for Schools and Teachers
Schools must administer projects and practical assessments, score them, and upload all learner outcomes within the stipulated timeframe [1]. KNEC has instructed institutions to source assessment materials from their immediate school environment or through improvisation where necessary [1]. To support schools in completing this process, KNEC has provided a comprehensive user manual with detailed instructions on scoring learners and uploading results to the CBA portal [1]. Schools experiencing login difficulties have been advised to contact their Sub-County Directors of Education for technical assistance [1].
Record Preservation and Future Verification
A critical component of the directive requires schools to preserve all assessment records, including projects, practical work, and supporting documentation for future verification and inquiries [1][2]. Headteachers bear responsibility for maintaining comprehensive records and evidence generated from the assessments [1]. This documentation requirement ensures accountability and provides a foundation for any subsequent educational reviews or audits within the CBC framework [1].
Educational Context and Sector Challenges
These Grade 4 and 5 assessments serve as crucial progress indicators ahead of the Grade 6 national assessment, helping track learner development under the Competency-Based Curriculum [1]. However, the education sector faces significant turbulence, with ongoing teacher strikes affecting the second term school reopening [1]. Junior Secondary School teachers, supported by KUPPET, staged protests in Machakos on 27 April 2026, highlighting broader issues including delayed compensation for administering past examinations [1]. Recent research has revealed substantial learning gaps, with a KNEC midline report showing that 73.2% of Grade 3 learners failed to attain minimum numeracy proficiency, whilst 58.9% struggled with basic English literacy [3]. Teacher absenteeism presents additional challenges, reaching 44.4% nationally, 75% in refugee camp schools, and 62.5% in informal settlement schools [3].